Chargers GM apologized to team for failed free-agency signing

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco apologized to members of the team's secondary recently for the failed 2022 free-agency signing of cornerback J.C. Jackson.

Telesco addressed the players in Week 6 during the team's first meeting after they traded the one-time Pro Bowler back to the New England Patriots, according to a report by ESPN's Kris Rhim. During the discussion, Telesco called the five-year, $82.5 million contract handed out to Jackson in March 2022 a "swing and a miss."

"Telesco told the group that signing Jackson was a mistake, according to multiple team sources," Rhim wrote. "He apologized for continuing to give Jackson opportunities, despite Jackson routinely showing that he wasn't as committed as the rest of the team while being one of the Chargers' highest paid players."

There were more startling items to come out of Rhim's report, including that "many within the organization" felt that the defensive back approached practices with a "lackadaisical" attitude and "didn't respond well to coaching." Rhim added that according to his Chargers sources, Jackson "refused to go in" during the team's Week 4 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders after he was benched for the first three quarters, informing the coaches "he wasn't warmed up enough."

The 27-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Patriots from 2018-21, recording a career-high nine interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2020 before posting for career-bests in tackles (58) and passes defended (an NFL-high 23) in 2021. Jackson helped New England win their most recent Super Bowl as a rookie and also had eight interceptions during the final season of his first stint with the organization.

After signing with Los Angeles last year, he was limited to five games in 2022. Jackson played 44 snaps and had one interception and three passes defended in the team's Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins and three tackles and played 41 snaps in Week 2.

The University of Maryland product was inactive in Week 3 and in the days after that contest, he said he was "confused" by his benching.

Jackson allowed a career-worst 149.3 passer rating when targeted last season and missed 14 of 22 games due to injuries during his tenure with the Chargers.

He's also had legal troubles in recent years, including an arrest in December 2022 following a "non-violent family issue." More recently, there was a warrant issued for Jackson's arrest in September. The warrant came after he failed to appear in court for a probation violation hearing, which stemmed from a 2021 speeding arrest.

Jackson has played in all five games since re-joining New England, making three starts while registering 14 combined tackles and three passes defended.